Sealed Face Shield for Playing Musical Instruments

ABSTRACT

The sealed face shield for playing musical instruments invention is a modified standard face shield that is closed off at the top and sides with one or more access ports through which musical instruments can be placed. The shield includes a flexible, clear, plastic film that covers the face from the forehead to past the chin and up to the front of the ears. The sides of the shield are pulled flush to the side of the head by a chin strap, ear loops, or a second head strap leaving only the bottom area of the face shield open. Openings are cut through the front or side of the shield for musical instruments to pass through. The holes are then replaced or covered with a material that allows the instrument to pass through the shield while still minimizing any aerosol from spraying outward during playing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Pat. Application No. 63106354 filed Oct. 27, 2020.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to musicians’ face shields for the protection of infection spreading through droplets and aerosols. Most face shields have been used in the medical community to protect the healthcare worker from direct sneezes, coughs, or other patient produced sprays. Standard face shields have been shown to reduce the inhalation exposure by 96% in the immediate period after a cough but only by 23% in the following 30 minutes. This is most likely due to the particles floating in the air and eventually making it past the large open sides and top of the face shield. Conversely, similar problems with current face shield designs allow infected people’s droplets to escape out of the confines of a simple face shield to where others can easily inhale them.

With the introduction of Covid-19, its variants, and anticipation of other future novel coronaviruses for which there are not vaccines, the CDC recommends the best way to prevent infection spread when out in public is the wearing of face coverings such as face masks, handwashing, and to physically distance six feet apart from others. Viruses, including the Covid-19 are largely thought to be transmitted from human-to-human by droplets, aerosols, and fomites. There is still much debate on the virus payload per droplet that would be enough to cause infection in susceptible persons, how deep one would have to breathe to carry the droplets or aerosols into the respiratory tract, and how prevalent self-inoculation from contaminated hands is.

Whereas cloth masks are supposed to help protect others from one’s coughs, they do little to protect oneself against others’ coughs. Viruses can enter through any mucous membrane, including the eyes, which are not protected by masks. It is also very difficult to police the types of masks people wear. Different masks have different inhalation filtering and protective exhalation capabilities. For example, if the user coughs or sneezes, the smaller aerosol spray is propelled directly out of the mask (or around the mask if not properly fitted) through the varying weave density of cloth masks, thus endangering all around. Masks are uncomfortable, hot, difficult to breathe through, and muffle sound. They are often worn improperly because the users adjust them to be more comfortable to the point where they become ineffective (e.g. nose out, totally off during phone calls, on the chin, hanging off one ear, etc.). Making continuous adjustments to irritating face masks also increases the probability of self-infection because the user touches his/her face more.

In the specialized cases such as musical bands that traditionally perform on stage in confined settings for long periods of time, cloth masks only offer basic protection against others because the aerosolized micro droplets that are produced during playing instruments or just during normal breathing easily pass through any loosely woven cotton masks or poorly fitting masks. It is also difficult to maintain six feet of distance between band members due to the limited room on stages and the sometimes large number of band members.

The physical (social) distancing guideline of six feet away from others allows any droplets time to drop to the ground or be diluted before reaching others. Physical distancing does not prevent spread 100% of the time as factors such as wind, fans, and HVAC could potentially keep the droplets airborne for longer distances and times. When many people are tightly packed into a room with poor ventilation and there is a high density of infected aerosolized particles making up a virus cloud, the chance of infection spread is high.

Movement of aerosols follows several basic mechanisms: gravity sedimentation, ballistic energy, inertial impaction, thermal gradients, electromagnetic radiation, turbulent diffusion, inertial forces, Brownian motion, and electrostatic forces. For small droplets and aerosols larger than 5 µm, gravity, ballistic energy, and inertial impaction play a role. Ballistic energy is the force projecting particles such as in coughs or sneezes and inertial impaction occurs when aerosol particles have so much momentum that they cannot keep up with the air stream that suddenly takes a sharp turn. In the case of an impenetrable shield, the particles are deposited on the shield while the rest of the air stream is forced downward by the plastic shield. Aerosols in the 0.1 um to 5 um range are affected by thermal gradients, electromagnetic radiation, air turbulence, Brownian motion, and electrostatic attraction. By directing aerosol and droplets down toward the ground, these other forces are less likely to keep aerosols forming an aerosol cloud up where people can inhale them.

The COVID-19 virus measures 0.12 microns in diameter but it is always bonded to something larger such as water droplets or aerosols that are generated by sneezing, coughing, talking, singing, etc. Expelled breath particle size ranges have been measured to be from 0.07 um to 33 um but most during deep breathing are between 0.2 and 33 um. For this reason, emphasis is placed on shielding and redirecting aerosols and droplets containing viruses measuring >0.2 um.

DRAWING DESCRIPTIONS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the sealed face shield for musicians showing a crescent shaped seal (1) flanked by two wedges (2) between the head and the top of the clear plastic shield (3). The foam or other suitable material provides a standoff so that the shield is not flush against the user’s face for comfort and allows space for musical instruments to be inserted.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the sealed shield showing a tie (4) or other suitable strap to affix the sealed shield to the user’s head. The tie could be a stretchy material such as elastic, or any other strap that still allows for adjustability to different head sizes. The sides (5) of the clear plastic shield are drawn flush to the user’s face to block any aerosols from either entering or exiting past the sides of the shield with either a chin strap (6) or another head strap (7). The sides of the clear plastic shield can be treated with a safe protective edging or edge smoothening treatment to prevent skin irritation. The bottom and part of the side of the shield below the chin are open to air to provide fresh air to prevent fogging of the clear plastic shield. Alternately, the clear plastic shield can be treated with anti-fog and/or antiglare coatings (8).

FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of the chin strap (6) and the path of the expelled air and the fresh air for inhalation.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the sealed shield for musicians with an instrument port (9) on the right side that can accommodate instruments such as flutes and piccolos. The instrument port seals around the instrument when in use and is closed when not in use. This is accomplished by a stretchy material that allows a mouthpiece to penetrate through it yet conforms to the mouthpiece barrel once inserted to minimize aerosol from escaping through the instrument port. The port can also be fashioned with a liftable flap (10) that is raised to insert the instrument and falls back down to cover the access hole (11) after the instrument is removed. The port hole coverings can be made of various blocking materials including but limited to fabric, plastic, vinyl, or elastic.

FIG. 5 shows a front view of the sealed shield for musicians with an instrument port (9) that allows instrument access through differently placed slits for instruments such as trumpets, saxophones, trombones, and French horns. This instrument port can be a flap design as well.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to top and side sealed light-weight, comfortable, multi-use, single person face shields for musicians who need to play various instruments while wearing face covering personal protective equipment. Whereas face shields used in healthcare have large gaps on the sides and varying gap sizes on the top of the face shields, the present shield is designed to close up these gaps to prevent both droplets and aerosols from easily entering the facial area as well as from being projected outward toward other non-protected people. The sealed face shield for musicians has one or more musical openings that allow instruments to pass through so the user can play while still wearing a face covering. These ports are then made to be self-sealing around the instrument or designed with flaps that lift up to allow instruments to pass through.

In one aspect of the present invention, the shield includes a thin clear plastic sheet that extends from the forehead to below the chin and wraps around the face.

In another aspect of the present invention, the plastic sheet ends anteriorly to the ears to remove the loud reverberation sounds from the wearer’s ears.

In another aspect of the present invention, the shield stands away from the user’s face far enough to accommodate noses, eye glasses, makeup, jewelry, and other facial related devices/activities. The shield is held away from the face with contoured foam, plastic, or other light weight material which is affixed to the top of the plastic sheet. The standoff seal does not have any gaps in between the face and the plastic sheet to prevent droplets from exiting or entering the face area from the top of the shield. This is achieved by contouring the brow seal to form a crescent shape when worn or adding tapered wedges to the top corners of the face shield to plug the gaps between the brow seal and the sides of the clear face shield once the musician’s face shield is wrapped around the head. This contouring, relief cutting of the brow seal, or addition of wedges also allow the face shield to lay flat for shipping purposes.

In another aspect of the present invention, the sides of the plastic sheet are drawn flush to the wearer’s face with either a chin strap and/or an additional head strap. Removing the side gaps between the face and the plastic sheet prevents droplets from exiting or entering the face area from the sides of the shield.

In another aspect of the present invention, the plastic sheet directs exhaled droplets and aerosols down to the ground where other people are much less likely to inhale them.

In another aspect of the present invention, the plastic sheet holds a natural electrostatic charge which also helps attract charged virus/droplet/aerosol particles. This charge is continuously refreshed when the plastic rubs against the user’s hair and other static generating straps.

In another aspect of the present invention, when outfitted with a chin strap, the user is able to don the shield using one hand by first planting the chin on top of the chin strap and then pulling the top headband over the head with a single hand motion. When outfitted with a second head band, sides of the plastic sheet may be outfitted with gap filling foam, fabric, or other suitable material to close the gap and achieve a tight side seal.

In another aspect of the present invention, the clear plastic sheet can be made with antifog coating to prevent fogging when exhaling high humidity moisture.

In another aspect of the present invention, the clear plastic sheet can be made with anti-glare coating to prevent glare from bright overhead or stage lights.

In another aspect of the present invention, the shield when outfitted with a chin strap, is pulled primarily downward but slightly outward from the wearer so that instruments such as clarinets and oboes can be brought to the musicians’ mouth from the bottom of the shield.

In another aspect of the present invention, the head and chin straps are adjustable with stretchy ties and knotted to allow for all head shapes and sizes. Other means of fitting various head sizes include elastic, Velcro, adjustable bands, and non-stretch ties.

In another aspect of the present invention, the plastic sheet can be made in different sizes to accommodate wearers from infant to full adult sizes.

It is an object of the invention to provide a better sealed face shield for the protection of musicians from exposure to infected people as well as to provide protection of others from musicians’ aerosols/droplets.

It is another object of the invention to address the gaps around the wearer’s face of a traditional face shield while still providing the same comfortable, full face view of the wearer.

Another object of the invention is to direct airflow from the wearer that contains potentially infectious viruses down toward the ground where they are less likely to come into contact with surrounding people. This in effect achieves the same goal that physical distancing does but without relying solely on gravity to achieve.

Another object of the invention is to block airflow containing aerosol from easily entering the wearer’s facial area from the top or sides of the shield. The aerosol would essentially have to fight gravity in order to enter the wearer’s breathing space.

Yet another object of the invention is to allow musical band members to easily and more safely play their instruments while wearing face coverings.

Another object of the invention is to seal the instrument port entries when not playing so the musician’s expired air is steered downward to the ground in a more tightly controlled droplet trajectory.

Still another object of the invention is to allow loud instrument playing within the face shield without hurting the wearer’s hearing. This is done by pulling the sides of the shield anterior to the ears so the ears are outside of the sound chamber created by the sealed face shield.

Another object of the invention is to provide clear facial viewing of musicians’ faces with exception of the instrument port that may block the mouth or the right cheek for flute/piccolo ports.

Another object of the invention is to fabricate the instrument opening covers with transparent, translucent, or opaque material such as clear plastic, thin stretch fabric, opaque neoprene, fabric of varying deniers, or any other durable material that will block infectious agents.

Another object of the invention is to design smooth port coverings such that instrument mouthpieces can easily slip in and out without getting caught on the shield or port coverings.

Another object of the invention is a flap that covers the opening when not in use and flips out of the way enough to insert an instrument through the opening when the musician is ready to play. When the instrument is removed, the flap covers the opening again.

Another object of the invention is to provide a customized skin tone browband so that performers with the protective face shields on can make the browband blend in with the color of their skin.

Relevant Prior Art 5440760 August 1995 Highsmith 20110197898 August 2011 Chiu WO2016076869 May 2016 Yahiaoui et al 4852185 August 1989 Olson PPA 63070890 August 2020 Shuck 10522119 December 2019 Kwok et al 4233877 November 1980 Okami 5732410 March 1998 Machson 8544112B2 October 2013 Gosine 5113528 May 1992 Burke et al 4884296 December 1989 Nix 4986282 January 1991 Stackhouse 4825878 May 1989 Kuntz 6279572 August 2001 Danisch et al

Current US Class: A41D13/1184 Protective face masks, e.g. for surgical use, or for use in foul atmospheres with protection for the eyes, e.g. using shield or visor 

1. The plastic face shield is sealed around most of the musician’s face.
 2. The top of the face shield in claim 1 has no open gaps to minimize airflow containing aerosol from easily escaping or entering the wearer’s facial area.
 3. The top of the face shield in claim 1 can be sealed by various methods including but not limited to contouring a crescent shaped visor, cutting relief notches in the brow seal foam, or adding tapered wedges to the top corners of the face shield that hug the musician’s head when worn.
 4. The sides of the plastic face shield of claim 1 are drawn flush to the wearer’s face but ends anteriorly to the ears to avoid loud reverberation sounds from reaching the wearer’s ears.
 5. The plastic face shield of claim 1 holds a natural electrostatic charge which is continuously refreshed when the plastic rubs against the user’s hair thus helping to attract charged virus/droplet/aerosol particles.
 6. The clear plastic material of claim 1 can be made with an anti-fog coating to allow clear visualization of the musician’s face.
 7. The clear plastic material of claim 1 can be made with an anti-glare coating to allow clear visualization of the musician’s face.
 8. The side edges of the plastic face shield of claim 1 are guarded with protection against skin irritation.
 9. The musician’s face shield has ports and openings through which various woodwind and brass musical instruments can be easily inserted / removed during play.
 10. The front (e.g. saxophone) and side (flute, piccolo) instrument ports of claim 9 are self-sealing and provide smooth passage through, such that instrument mouthpieces can easily slip in and out without getting caught on the shield or port coverings.
 11. The bottom (e.g. clarinet, oboe) opening of the musician’s face shield in claim 9 is open downward to the ground and back toward the musician player so escaping air is directed where others in close proximity are not likely to inhale it and aerosol would essentially have to fight gravity in order to enter the wearer’s breathing space.
 12. The instrument ports of claim 9 can also be fabricated with flaps that cover the open port when not playing.
 13. The musician’s face shield is held in place with strategically located straps.
 14. When outfitted with a chin strap in claim 13, the user is able to quickly and easily don the face shield using one hand by first planting the chin on top of the chin strap followed by pulling the top headband over the head with a single hand motion.
 15. When outfitted with a second head strap in claim 13, sides of the plastic sheet may be outfitted with gap filling foam, fabric, or other suitable material to close any side gaps.
 16. The adjustable head strap, chin strap, and neck strap of claim 13 can be loosened enough to allow the face shield to lie flat for storage or easy shipping.
 17. The adjustable head strap, chin strap, and neck strap of claim 13 can be made of flexible material which may include, but is not limited to material such as stretchy ties, elastic, Velcro, adjustable bands, and non-stretch ties. 